The End of the Year Showhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#163832
Im sure my alter ego will have similar moments of reflection over on Frugal Wench but this is where I take a moment to consider what has been going on with my adventures in geek creativity during 2017. This time last year well 2016 had been pretty horrendous for most of the year. After my dads horrific accident my whole family was stressed out. Thankfully his recovery has been amazing but I did what I always do when things get very stressful I made myself extra busy. As a result in spite of all the strife I could reflect on 2016 and feel pride in what Id achieved. Alan Moores Jerusalem had come out to critical acclaim I was cracking on with my next project Best of British Science Fiction and Id got the bare bones together of my first solo comedy show The Pleasant Revolt. So I started 2017 feeling like my star was on the ascendant. Id recorded an episode of The Chase in 2016 both following and preceding other comics whod given it a go and it got shown early this year. The real reason ...2017-12-17 11:20:58Open Letter in defence of Libraries as a Statutory Servicehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#163770
FAO Sajid Javid as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Karen Bradley Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport and John Glen Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Arts Heritage amp Tourism.In a recent open letter to Secretary of State Justine Greening many authors made a plea asking her to safeguard libraries in schools stating whereas the provision of appropriatelystaffed public and prison libraries is statutory on Local Government and HM Prisons Service the provision of school and college libraries is not. However in 2017 public libraries are also under threat. We are writing to ask you to take action to safeguard the provision of libraries as a statutory service.We believe that there is a national crisis in the library service but this is going under the radar as a national issue because the funding for them comes under local government. Different county councils are reaching financial crisis points at different times and to different extents but t...2017-11-28 23:47:24Northamptonshire Libraries Under Threathttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#163696
Its a dire time in Northamptonshire as the County Council have
announced that they have so little money they are going to be forced to
cut services some of which are not only vital but also statutory so
they ruddy well cant never mind shouldnt. Therefore they have a fight
on their hands
In the first wave of cuts to save 1639.6 million they have proposed the
closure of up to 28 libraries out of 36 across the county but 21 can
be saved if the community finds groups to run them with volunteers.
Well... remember when I did that gig in a volunteerrun
library
That is typical of communityrun libraries in that it depends on the
unskilled retired rather than trained librarians. Yes people can still
borrow books from a limited supply also donated by other nice
people but modern libraries are about so much more than booklending.
They provide access to computers homework help jobseeker support
mental health resources blue badge provision bus pass renewal
playgroups...2017-11-5 10:07:02Fantasycon and everything afterhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#163695
My report on what went on at Fantasycon can be found here.2017-10-2 10:05:50Interview with Nik Abnetthttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#162723
I was privileged to interview the fantastic author of Savant Nik Abnett on April 26th at the BSFA event at the Artillery Arms.It was great to speak to her about her writing her process and how much fun she has when she cowrites With Dan Abnett for Black Libraries I love a Skaven horde me.You can listen to our interview here.2017-4-27 22:41:06I am Historyhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#161862
As the living embodiment of somebody who has been dead for over 300 years Im feeling pretty sprightly. Or should that be spritely No thanks Ill have an Irn Bru.Im full of fizz at the thought of it only being a week away from my show at Leicester Comedy Festival. Ive done a couple of sneaky previews where the bones of the show have been lain before an audience. Its gone pretty well actually so Im quite pleased. I had the idea that I wanted the show to be as arts and craftsy as my paper and glue collage poster design so I even did one show in my front lounge the front of the lounge really. I only have the one lounge. It is knocked though into the back one mind and made a bit of a party of it. It had a very homemade feel and I felt very much at ease doing manly because I was surrounded by my own books and cats and personal cider collection so I think its something Id like to try again. Ive seen gigs happen in all sorts of unconventional places even outside of Edinburgh from peoples kitc...2017-2-5 12:05:51Coming Up in Marchhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#158786
This is going to be a super busy month for me. I am deep into my latest editorial project working with a bestselling military sciencefiction duo on the latest incarnation of their mega series but took a break yesterday to record another narration for Pseudopod. Look out for Jenny A Fairy Tale by Michael Byrne due for podcast on 25th March.This weekend 5th March I will be winging my way to Cambridge to attend the Watersprite Film Festival Awards I am told Sir Lenny Henry will be there. Brilliant As a fellow Black Country comedian who appreciates a good rest in the purpleliveried hotel chain that puts his face on cards on the pillows I will be trying my best not to waylay him and drunkenly tell him of this or of how I have reimagined the latest BBC John Le Carr233 drama starring House and Loki with him in it. Especially as I know one of the night managers of that illustrious chain. Well he works there at night. Anyway Ive told you now so hopefully that wont happen.And the next day I am...2016-3-1 16:47:12I dont do regrets. Regrets are pointless.http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#158139
2015 is almost at an end and as I write I am also bingelistening to the Book Shambles podcasts feeling like death but not actually dead. Lemmy is though. Apologies I dont have the option to add umlauts and it seems wrong to refer to his band as Moeterhead but this is a happysad memory of them. Back in the day when you were allowed to be a
famous musician over the age of 25 Motorhead were often in the pages of
glossy fullcolour pop rag Smash Hits. I remember walking to my friend
Stephs once and the back page poster sort of melted onto my hand as I
walked along in the summer sun. By the time I got to Stephs I had a
Lemmy transfer on my palm. Not that you could really tell it was him still or indeed any human. As I attempted amateur puppetry with his imprint it looked like I was just doing a rendition of The Ace of Spades with dirty jazz hands. Im sure Lemmy would have approved.I dont have much in common with Lemmy apart from a defiant pride in my own facial wart which as the al...2015-12-29 09:25:06Talking about Witches on BBC Northamptonhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#157412
I got to talk a bit about the history of witchcraft trials in Northampton on BBC Northampton this Halloween.You can listen again to it via this link I talk to James Carpenter who then goes on to speak to a present day witch from Wellingborough called Clinton Burns. It starts around 1 hour 22 into the programme and is available for 28 days so almost the end of the month.Sorry Clinton my questions were abysmal2015-11-2 12:01:28Fantasycon has been and gone...http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#157322
Fantasycon is over for another year and I have come away
feeling as inspired as usual but with a glint of extra challenge in my eye.
Mwa ha ha
For me Friday was a day of fretting. Both of my panels
were on Friday evening and I had to go to work during the day so there was
much wailing and gnashing of teeth as panelfronting nerves competed with
finishing workontime nerves and getting therenerves.
In the end we made it to the East Midlands Conference
Centre just in time for some cursory hellos and rushed to the Pendragon Press
launch of mfriend Mark Wests novella duology cowritten with Stephen Bacon
entitled The Lost Film. We have read
bits of this in our writing group and Im looking forward to reading it in
full Most of the pictures in existence of me from this weekend are from this
launch when I had no slap on and my plaits were looking distinctly bedraggled.
Never let it be said that I cant lend a book launch the necessary degree of
glamour but go ah...2015-10-27 15:50:56My Fantasycon Schedulehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#157188
This is what Ill be up to over the weekend at Fantasycon in NottinghamFriday 23rd OctoberRoom Conference Theatre
7.00pm Funtasy Comedy amp Humour in Genre Fiction
Arguably the greatest legacy of Sir Terry Pratchett was to prove
that fantasy can be funny without reducing its power to tell great
stories and move readers. But it is a delicate balance being funny can
be a serious business. Our panel discusses uses of humour in genre.
Hilarity ensues.
what is the role and effect of humour in fantasy writingwhat type of funny Narrative tone situation language character etc.different humour for different readers eg. humour for YA readership broad humour matters of tastehow can you tell it is funny when you write itdoes a humorous book have to be a comedy How to balance humour with action suspense tragedy darkness etc.which genre writers make us laugh
Moderator Donna Scott
Panellists Frances Hardinge Steve Jordan Heather Lindsley Terry Newman Craig SaundersRoom Conference Theatre...2015-10-19 14:17:54Preparing for Fantasyconhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#156067
I have a lot to look forward to at the upcoming Fantasycon the schedule is being finalised butI will be on this panel which Im looking forward toFuntasy Comedy amp Humour in Genre FictionArguably
the greatest legacy of Sir Terry Pratchett was to prove that fantasy
can be funny without reducing its power to tell great stories and move
readers. But it is a delicate balance being funny can be a serious
business. Our panel discusses uses of humour in genre. Hilarity ensues. what is the role and effect of humour in fantasy writing what type of funny Narrative tone situation language character etc. different humour for different readers eg. humour for YA readership does a humorous book have to be a comedy How to balance humour with action suspense tragedy darkness etc. which genre writers make us laughThe awesome and muchmissed Pterry.I will also be at the BFS Awards and Im on two juries this year Best MagazinePeriodical and Best Artist. I am looking forward to slogging it out with...2015-7-28 09:44:40Interview on Scififantasynetwork.comhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#155091
I am delighted to have been interviewed by the lovely Francesca Barbini for the ScifiFantasyNetwork about my love of Science Fiction humour and my work with the BSFA. She has also rather nicely given a bit of a plug to the BSFASFF AGM and miniconvention that we are having this coming Saturday in London with legendary authors Brian Aldiss and Pat Cadigan I hope to see many friends there. 2015-6-2 10:51:59A Film About International Womens Day in Northamptonhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#154763
Filmmaker Dan Brophy has sent me the following link to a short film he made for Inspiration FM about the event in Northamptons Guildhall for International Womens Day. I am happy to put you in touch with Dan if you would like to hire him as a filmmaker.And talking of inspirational science fiction written by women I am currently reading Memory of Water by Emmi It228ranta which was shortlisted for the Clarke Awards this year and looking forward to reading the winning book Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel next. What are you reading at the moment2015-5-12 12:40:31Keele Writers Fairhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#154757
I recently got to return to Keele University where I did my BA to talk to current students about opportunities in writing. This event took place in the sustainability hub in Home Farm a corner of the campus Id never actually been to before Its a lovely little complex but not outwardly farmlike at all now as the huge shiny medical school looms over it.Also taking part in the event were Deborah Alma the emergency poet who tours round in a Seventies ambulance dispensing poetical cures for all ills and Hannah Hiles a journalist. We had a lovely discussion prefaced by the Dean David Shepherd and moderated by author and creative writing tutor Joe Stretch. Event coordinator Timothy Lustig who is a senior lecture in American Studies was there to welcome us all but unfortunately had to rush off before the end.Here we all are having a lovely time
After the event John Easom the Alumni and Development Officer took me on a little tour of the campus so I could see what has changed in ...2015-4-25 10:49:02A Small Sojourn in Heathrow Con Season Part 2http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#154334
Due to the distancing effect of the spacetime continuum this happened weeks ago please do not expect this to be a very long post. But report I must Because I did go to Heathrow and rather than catch a plane to somewhere dull I attended EasterconI travelled down with my husband and friends Jess and Cris on the Thursday and we had a chilled evening relaxing in the Three Magpies with them Ian Watson Christina Macia and John Guy Collick. The calm before the storm What storm There was no storm... at least none at Eastercon.My main mission while I was at Heathrow was to manage the BSFA desk in the fan area. So while I did get to spend rather a lot of time in the busy and flipping expensive hotel bar with friends old and new much of my days were spent there chatting to passers by about all the wonderful things the BSFA does and encouraging as many attendees as possible to come and vote in the BSFA Awards.Friday night was brilliant. Australian comedian John Robertson had bought his chooseyou...2015-4-21 15:53:30Con Season part 1http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#150761
Its that cherry blossom time of year when we suddenly start feeling more energized and inspired and for us creative types this sensation of dynamism can only be augmented by a recent conexperience. Once youve got over the hangovers and concrud that is.The season began for me with a trip to North Wales where Hafan y Mor gave us welcome once again for the SciFi Weekender. The journey to the sea was long and in parts perilous affording us views of sheer drops down into sheepfilled valleys from the narrow roads and little detours into the Snowdonia National Park.Myself and a couple of friends Jess and Cris arrived in time for the Thursday preparty at which I managed to meet a brand new face from my own hometown. A nice chilled way to start the weekend.On Friday morning an early start was required to go and watch the eclipse. We trundled down to the shoreline with our makeshift pinhole camera a large piece of white card and a Strongbow box having been unable to acquire the de rigeur black g...2015-4-14 18:01:39Marvellous Bristolconhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#150167
Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to the beautiful city of Bristol for a convention. My hubby and I were lucky enough to receive tickets as a wedding present from our friend Andy Bigwood who was part of the organizing committee a splendid job they all did of the organizing bizznizz too. Hes an awardwinning illustrator and artist and one of the other lovely things he did was to make an extra badge for all the children and babies attending with their name in Gallifreyan turning phonemes into beautiful circular patterns. Mmm... wonder if hes taking commissions to do more of those Thatd be Christmas sortedThere were three Guests of Honour at Bristolcon the awesome John Courtenay Grimwood who has written some fantastic novels including Stamping Butterflies the equally awesome Emma Newman who is the author of the fantastic Split Worlds series and hostess in the tea lair at the divine Hugonominated podcast Tea and Jeopardy if you havent already done so I insist you go listen to one ...2014-10-27 17:02:12My Fantasycon Schedulehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#148801
This week I will be at Fantasycon in the beautiful city of York. Viking city O hear me mighty OdinMy schedule has changed a bit so this is what Ill be doing besides hanging around the bar.Friday 5th September 7.30 pm Round Robin PoetryTheres a simultaneous karaoke happening too elsewhere... Ill get me cloneSaturday 6th September 11.00am The Reign of the Geek
With Game of Thrones Marvels franchise and Doctor Who all mainstream
staples the fantastic is no longer the reserve of the lone outsider.
Geeks won the culture war but what do we do now
Max Edwards m Joanne Harris Alasdair Stuart Kim LakinSmith meAs an aside Ive promised my nephew a souvenir from York if I hear hes behaved well this week... hes very nearly ten a gamer and an aspiring comic and filmmaker. Ive no idea what though. Any ideas2014-9-3 08:50:41How Time Flieshttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#148631
Im pleased as punch to be able to say that I have been made Keelite of the MonthI loved being a student at Keele University and very recently met up with a load of my old Hole in the Wall mates for a reuniontype disco thing.Follow the link to read an interview with me to find out what kind of student I was and to see more photos of me looking young and foolish like this... Does it suit me2014-8-27 10:36:54Loncon3 for Mehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#148597
London. Londinium. The City... as Daisy Steiner would say and the setting for the 72nd ever World Science Fiction Convention. Of course I had to go A week ago already and I still have an awful lot of BSFA admin to plough through. Not that the weekend was entirely work work work but sometimes it did feel like it. I arrived on Thursday with two big unwieldy rolling things one a suitcase one a Good Food Show shopping trolley full of books testing the chivalry of Londoners on the Underground. People actually helped me I was so glad. I got off on the wrong DLR stop so got my first glimpse of the fate that awaited me the humongous queue for registration as I went through the Excel Centre saying hello to Ruth Booth who scared me with tales that she had already been queuing for an hour and was nowhere near the front. After securing my lodgings in the Ibis I headed back to plunge myself into the convention... queue. Two hours. TWO HOURS. After this I was desperate for a cup of tea. I he...2014-8-25 17:51:30The Timeout 100 Best SciFi Movies Pollhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#147804
The Timeout 100 Best SciFi Movies Poll is out and I am one of the contributors I am hugely grateful to Tom Huddlestone for inviting me to take part in this brainscratcher of a poll. I love so many films that it was hard to come up with a top ten. I mostly erred on the side of films that I can watch again and again without getting bored of them or ones that reveal extra detail every time you view them. My own top ten can be seen here.Do you agree with the results Some of the comments so far seem a bit interesting... AI was an abomination rip off of Disney Pinocchio. Pffft Whatever you think Disney didnt flipping well come up with all the folk tales nor does it own them.Anyway I dont care. Im just supremely happy to be on the same list as Brian Blessed sorry BRIAN BLESSED2014-7-23 08:27:47My Loncon3 Schedulehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#147542
I am pleased as punch to announce that I will be on the following panel at this years Worldcon Loncon3 at the Excel Centre London which takes place from 14th 18th August.Sunday 17th August 1000am Working for a LivingMost SF TV focuses on and is written by professionalwhite collarmiddle class individuals. But a few recent examples such as The Walking Dead True Blood Orphan Black and Misfits have included a greater focus on working classblue collar experiences. how does this affect the stories such shows tell the range of characters and identities these shows include and how they use their fantastic elementsWow so I get to talk about some of my favourite telly2014-7-11 10:54:01British Fantasy Awardshttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#145447
It gives me great delight to write that I have been invited onto the jury for the British Fantasy Awards for the Best MagazinePeriodical category along with Aleksandra Kesek and Jim McLeod.The rest of the juries can be seen here.The shortlists will be announced at the next British Fantasy Society Open Night on 6th June in London where the guest writer is Adam Christopher interviewed by the editor Gillian Redfearn and Journeys Into Darkness an anthology dedicated to the memory of the brilliant Joel Lane will be launched. See here for details.The winners of the awards will be announced at Fantasycon 2014 in September in York. 2014-5-27 23:03:27Parsec Award Nominations are openhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#145035
If you enjoyed the story The Violin Family that I read and that appeared on the PSEUDOPOD podcast herehttppseudopod.org20140103pseudopod367flashontheborderlandsxviiipseudopodforum2013flashcontestwinners
Please consider nominating the story for a 2014 Parsec Award at the following linkhttpwww.parsecawards.comannouncementsparsecawardnominationsopenmarch31Lots of other stories are eligible and are really good so give them a whirl. My story fits the Best Speculative Fiction Story Small Cast Short Form. And for the sake of not quite impartiality the latest episodes of Starship Sofa with the BSFA Short Fiction nominees are also eligible.
2014-4-11 16:55:59My Appearances at Satellite 4 Glasgowhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#144934
Quite a lot of the time I will be behind a desk with BSFA on it or in the bar. But I will also be at these.Friday 18th April 6pmNewcon Press Book LaunchThe brilliant Ian Whates is launching four books that I know of Strange Visitors a new collection by Eric Brown The Moon King by Neil Williamson and a duo of anthologies called Femme and Noir that I might have already mentioned my story is in Noir
Saturday 1500 1600Future representation
The panel explores SF
literature in the context of what stories actually are or are not
being told. Who gets to be in the future what happens to everyone else
and who gets to decide
Fran Dowd M Ian Whates Laura Lam Donna Scott
Stephanie Saulter
Sunday 1200 1300Poetic licence
Does poetry allow exploration of challenging issues concerning gender race and identity in ways that prose cannot
IAN HUNTER M
Donna Scott Jo Fletcher Susan Bartholomew Amal ElMohtar
Sunday 1900 2000The BSFA Award CeremonyJames White Award Ceremony
...2014-4-7 12:13:25Limited Edition Little Black Box now availablehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#144616
v behaviorurldefaultVML o behaviorurldefaultVML w behaviorurldefaultVML .shape behaviorurldefaultVML Ive received word that the limited edition box sets of Noir and Femme are now available to preorder. Look at the pretties...The NewCon Press Little Black Box Containing Hardback copies of both volumes of the duo anthology La Femme And Noir An envelope filled with a quartet of sheets signed by all the contributing authors A black tealight candle shot through with silver couched within a purple organza bag woven from the wings of dark fairies. The two books will be bound together with ribbon to protect the unwary reader the inside of the box lined with black as an added precaution The NewCon Press Little Black Box is strictly limited with only 100 available each box individually numbered. When theyre gone theyre gone Price 16339.99As well as this very pretty box set the individual anthologies are also available 1639..99 for the pa...2014-3-27 12:11:53Cover Reveal for Noirhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#144361
I am delighted to be able to post this impressive wraparound design for the Noir anthology launching this Easter from Newcon Press.
Reminds me of the black album from MetallicaI will soon be able to post a full itinerary of my appearances at Eastercon. Im currently down to appear on a couple of panels and will be at the BSFA Awards ceremony on Sunday 20th April too.I will next be at the BSFA meeting on March 26th upstairs at the Artillery Arms 102 Bunhill Row London EC1Y 8ND for a panel to discuss the BSFA awards. The guests for this meeting are novelist Gaie Sebold author of the Babylon Steel series of books and eminent critic Paul Kincaid. Proceedings commence at 7pm.2014-3-17 16:27:15BSFA Open Evening and Signing for Noirhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#143903
Last night I attended the BSFA Open Evening at The Artillery Arms in Shoreditch. It was a fantastic night. The Glass Republic author Tom Pollock was being interviewed by the fantastic Emma Newman. It was a very interesting evening in which we learned that Tom has faced deadly snakes deadly pirates and mildly painful scorpions in his actionpacked life. I already love Emmas books... Im going to have to read some of Toms now
There were lots of other authors and movers and shakers from the world of SF at the event last night packed into a very warm function room. Two Philip K. Dick nominees no less were there in the forms of Anne Charnock and mfriend Ian Whates who is of course the owner of Newcon Press hence my editor for the forthcoming anthology Noir. He greeted me as soon as I walked through the door with a massive pile of signing sheets to go into the limited edition of the book and with just a few minutes to go before the interview started upstairs I zipped through 150 squiggles...2014-2-27 12:39:27GrimLa Femme Duoanthology to be launched at Satellite 4http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#143470
I am hugely pleased to announce that my short story The Grimoire will be appearing in a forthcoming Newcon Press anthology Grim and will shortly be available to order. The anthology is going to be launched in conjunction with another called La Femme. Both anthologies will be available separately as paperbacks and there will be a special signed limited edition presentation of the duoanthology available to buy too.
How exciting Look at the ToC
My story is next to the one by my Northampton Science Fiction Writers Group fellow member and poetry buddy Emma Coleman. Yay us
La Femme
1. Introduction Ian Whates2. Stephen Palmer Palestinian Sweets3. Frances Hardinge SlinkThinking 4. Storm Constantine A Winter Bewitchment5. Andrew Hook Softwood6. Adele Kirby Soleil7. Stewart Hotston Haecceity8. John Llewellyn Probert The Girl with No Face9. Jonathan Oliver High Church10. Maura McHugh Valerie11. Holly Ice Trysting Antlers12. Ruth E.J. Booth The Honey Tra...2014-2-12 09:00:56Pseudopod narration The Violin Family by James Douglashttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#142797
I am delighted to have recorded this creepy short story written by James Douglas for horror audiozine Pseudopod. This came second place in The Escape Artists Forums Flash Fiction Contest 2013. Third place was Robert McKinney with Whispers from the Trench and the winner was R. K. Kombrinck with Mr. Flyspeck. All three stories can be heard here. 2014-1-16 08:58:08My Report on World Fantasy Convention 2013 Brightonhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#141072
I had a marvellous time at World Fantasy Convention and blogged about it over at A Frugal Wench. Read part one here and part two here.
2013-11-7 13:05:41Poetry at World Fantasyconhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#140522
I will be talking part in the Poetry Showcase in the Library off the main Hilton lobby at World Fantasycon from 89pm. The event will be hosted by Allen Ashley and is bound to feature some other rather good poets as it always does so poetry lovers Ill see you there
Poetry haters Ill see you in the bar afterwards.2013-10-17 15:05:14Guest Editorial for Focushttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#140324
This week the BSFA magazines Vector and Focus were posted out to members. Guest editorial for this issue of writing magazine Focus was the fantastic writer Kim LakinSmith author of Tourniquet Cyber Circus Queen Rat and her latest novel Autodrome and I got a little coedit credit in there too. Im proud of this issue which features lots of brilliant and useful articles aimed at the writer of genre fiction. The theme of this issue is writing groups so if you fancied joining one you can read all about the different writing group experiences here.
I would like to thank Kim and Alex Bardy Steve and Clive and all the other writers and contributors who made this issue possible. Also Kev Rooney for his beautiful cover art.
2013-10-10 08:54:38Stuff to Look Forward tohttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#140127
I will be attending World Fantasycon in Brighton from 31st October to 3rd November and though Im not planning to be on any panels I will be around in the bar and dealers room if anyone would like to chat.
Im looking forward to seeing a lot of friends and colleagues from the publishing industry and celebrating the end of my Go Sober challenge as you do. To explain I am raising money for Macmillan throughout October by not drinking. People who know me know I like my cider and so they know this will be quite a feat for me. If anyone would like to sponsor me the link is here.
Tickets for the Natural High Cabaret night at The Legendary Labour Club at which I am performing on November 28th have now gone on sale. Buy your tickets here for a very reasonable 1633.
My editorial work continues to bring me much delight. Besides the work I do for publishing companies I also provide individual editorial services for individual writers. Last month I had the pleasure of working on a fantastic s...2013-10-2 08:55:08Me on the Interwebshttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#139989
I was recently a guest on Unseenn Radios Bedge Music Corner and the show went out this week. I review local artists Strangers Jamie Benkert and Arcade Crossfire. Listen to that here . I am possibly a bit mean... to some of those. Some were jolly brilliant. But I now own a ukelele that I dont know how to play at all so Im sure Ive got much much worse to come.
Fellow guests are the writer Tom Jordan and Jimmy Beaumont music journalist for the Herald and Post also to be seen currently in the Mod exhibition at Northampton Shoe Museum wearing a parka.
Also out this week was this interview with me on Northampton Science Fiction Writers Groups website. You can read that here and find out about how I became I writer. If you want to that is.2013-9-27 13:47:10Bardic Picnic 2013http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#138018
On Sunday August 4th contestants will once more vie to become the latest Bard of Northampton at this years Bardic Picnic at Delapre Abbey.I was the first back in 2009This year I am performing at the picnic once again along with a host of other poets musicians and storytellers.Its a fantastic community event and totally free.This year the theme is roots and you are encouraged to come dressed as a green man or woman. I dont think they mean Jolly Green Giant.2013-7-24 00:06:34My Eastercon appearanceshttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#133632
So this is what Ill be up to at the weekend.
Day
Time
Room
Item
Friday
4pm
Boardroom
Small Press Stories
Whats it like running a small SFF Press Editors from some of our local publishers share stories about their business. Colin Tate Clarion Press moderates Bob Neilson Aeon Press Pete Crowther PS Publishing Donna Scott Immanion and Ian Whates Newcon Press.
Friday
10pm
Rowan
Just a Minute
Four amusing people are invited to talk for one minute without hesitation deviation or repetition by the finest Nicholas Parsons impersonator a pint can buy thatd be Owen Dunn then.
Sunday
12noon
Boardroom
Ready Steady Flash
Lee Harris challenges authors to produce short themed fiction to a very tight deadline and then read it out. Paul Cornell Cory Doctorow Roz Kaveney and Emma Newman scribble and Donna Scott entertains while they write.
Sunday
7pm
Main
BSFA Awards LonCon 3 Update
Award Administrator Donna Scott and Master of Ceremoni...2013-3-25 11:56:20Storytelling at The Teaboxhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#150381
v behaviorurldefaultVML o behaviorurldefaultVML w behaviorurldefaultVML .shape behaviorurldefaultVML What a whirlwind weekend it has been I had a fantastic trip to Richmond on Friday night to take part in a storytelling evening at the sweet and bijou Teabox. Pennywise I used my Network Railcard for discounted travel to the gig and took a hot meal with me heated up in the office microwave and popped in my insulated lunchbox before I got on the train so that I wouldnt be tempted by all the overpriced goodies you can buy at the station although I have a Bite Card which you can get for free and that gets you 20 off a lot of station shops should you ever get stuck. The Teabox is a lovely cafe with a lot of vintage appeal. A vast cornucopia of tea and teamaking paraphernalia are there for you to buy and your tea comes served in pretty china with silver spoons and a triple timer so you can time your brew between 3 and 5 minutes exactly. They are open in th...2013-1-6 11:56:50What Happens When You Wake Up in the Nighthttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#129804
I have narrated this short story for Pseudopod What Happens When You Wake Up in the Night by Michael Marshall Smith .
Its a very creepy story. Its my first attempt at recording something by myself so there are things Ive learned in the process. Hopefully Ill get to do some more2013-1-4 09:22:48Forbidden Planet Adventures Witches on Trial Alan Partridge Moments and They Call it Puppet Lovehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#122346
It has been a busy few weeks and my head is in a whirl. Sleep is not my friend though very often my travelling companion good job I dont drive.
I had a great time down at The Forbidden Planet Expo and it was really busy in there. I just went as a punter and I did buy a couple of books though when mfriend Gareth L Powell dropped out I was almost tempted to grab his poor neglected author name tag. No honest I am him. As it happened a couple of books I was in did happen to be on the sale tables that day. One day hey
...and this is me there with mfriend Paul Cornell.
The following weekend was spent on a stag and hen weekend in Brum with very many of the same people. We went to a gin palace played street ping pong and then went on to Eddies which has moved and is now in what looks ike an Estate WMC and has reassuringly sticky carpet. RAWK
Since this time my life has been taken up with three major things the witchcraft exhibition the play and comedy nights.
The 1612 Northamptonshire ...2012-7-27 16:52:15Radio Interviewshttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#122011
AnneMarie Sandos and me were interviewed about our exhibition for BBC Northamptons John Griff show on Tuesday. Its at 1 hour 37 minutes in if you want to catch it on Listen again here.Im also going to be on the Kevin Saddington show tomorrow at 8.10 am.If you miss that well youll just have to come to the museum on the Guildhall Road at 1pm.2012-7-20 21:19:30Get Your Comedy Rocks on at The Racehorsehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#120653
I am dead excited to be bringing comedy to the legendary Northampton Racehorse Beginning this Wednesday 27th July we will be holding monthly comedy nights and the first couple of shows will be Edinburgh previews.
This will be a great opportunity to see theatre shows in development for whatever price you think fits.
First up we have Vikki Stone musical comedian extraodinaire. Shes amazingly talented and immensely funny. Next month we have Dan Wright who is a brilliant storytelling comedian usually seen with his partner Steve Marsh of Electric Forecast. You might recognise them both as theyve been on TV a fair bit. Theyre not the ubiquitous panelshow types but they certainly beat my one appearance in the audience of Central Weekend into a cocked hat.
Vikkis show is called Hot Mess and Dan Wrights is Michael Jackson Touched Me. Explains the gloves I suppose
Im hoping to bring a lot of fresh and diverse comedy talent before The Racehorses lovely and peculier clientele who are a mishm...2012-6-26 15:42:42Witches Workshops and a Writing Competition for the Jubileehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#119360
Ive just got back in from an absolutely brilliant afternoon. I was running a creative writing workshop at Northampton Central Library themed on the towns1612 witch trials and had a good number of really keen and enthusiastic people turn up. I was blown away by the quality of some of the pieces that the group came up with in such a short space of time running the gamut of lyrical clever witty funny and awesomely emotional stuff. It was really good to meet so many new faces too new to me anyway. Im sure theyre all pretty used to their own faces. But it struck me just how many creative souls live here. Some of the attendees were from the YA writers group and they wrote just as competently as the adults did powered by youthful zeal and a good many biscuits. Note to self teenagers need biscuits. Lots of biscuits. Ive given them a couple of weeks to finish their pieces and then youll have chance to read them at the exhibition. Cool stuff Im also looking forward to see what the kids come ...2012-6-2 18:21:37On Awards and Controversyhttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#115552
I got home from the BSFA Awards discussion panel last night groggy from train snooze fuzzy from red wine and full of the wibbles you get after the rush of adrenalin has died down and the slightly shaky feeling from thinking that I may just may have heaped a whole bucketload of teearuhdoubleburrullTRUBBLE on my head through admitting to things I did or enabled with the BSFA Awards that people may not have liked... only everyone present seemed to understand after all. PhewStill I thought all controversies dealt with but controversies get people talking dont they This morning no one is talking about me. Im like a pouty Oscar Wilde.Duncan Lawie and Dave Hutchinson were extremely pleasant guests and though we did talk around opinions of works on the shortlist we veered towards the postive and no former or current comedianswhoalsowrite were injured by the process. Possibly the positivity was helped by one of the shortlistees being in the room somehow representing in my head the awpshaws smil...2012-3-29 14:51:21Green Cats Witchfest Eastercon my weirdly busy lifehttp://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#114525
Last month my brother James his wife Annie and my littlest nephew Basher took a city break to Lille had a lovely time and thoughtfully picked up some waffle biscuits for me I like these very much. As I live in the same town it should have been a simple matter of me popping round one night for a cuppa and picking these up.I looked at my schedule however and couldnt find room to squeeze a visit in I had meetings gigs planned nights out museum stuff. Ive not even had time to catch up with TV Ive planned to watch on iPlayer. No I havent even seen Dirk GentlyEventually I got to see James and Annie they had to come to one of my gigs to catch me.Now whilst that was no hardship Im sure it was an excellent We are Most Amused night with an amazingly good lineup of Jay Handley Colin Hinchley Paul Broad Paul Mutageija Celia Wilding Susie Amato Nick Clarke Matt Diggle Davies as Johnny Dazzle and magic Al Rudge performing to a packed out room I did feel guilt pangs aplenty. My own brother who live...2012-3-13 17:04:28Mark Niel Danni Antagonist and Jordan Reyne To and From Milton Keynes With Love.http://www.121110.mrsite.com/page2.htm#113411
This week I think I have moved a little closer to finding the art of my heart... at the very least what I appreciate the most in others. The trouble with this sort of realisation is that you think youve been working hard but theres going to be lots to do yet.On Wednesday I went to the big smoke in that there London to see my mate Ian Whates interview the marvellous Liz Williams. It was a fascinating night and some of the discussion was also pretty useful to me in gleaning the perspective of a modern practitioner of witchcraft Lizas I am writing the bulk of the 1612 the witch trials of Northampton exhibition. also nice to have a little drinkie with some of my pals from sf.On Thursday I joined in with the Milton Keynes massive once again and headed to Bilston my old town in the Black Country to a packed out Bilston Voices in the Cafe Metro. This is the baby of Emmma Purshouse who most ably MCd the night and a sweet gig it is too. It was lovely to be able to meet up with Jane Seabourne ...2012-2-27 11:14:00